Blackgill Rockfish

Sebastes melanostomus

Body color: Uniform dark red, including fins; dusky bars may be present on back, these prominent in young specimens; most fins w/ blackened tips.

Peritoneum color: black     Shape between eyes: flat to convex

Counts: D:XIII,12-15, Ar:6-8, P1:17-20, GR:27-34, LLp:28-34, LLs:32-34, V:26

Occurence: Washington - Baja California

Depth: 768 meters     Size: 61 cm     Species code: 30340

Similar species: Shortraker RF - body pink or orange-pink; mouth, branchiostegal membranes, and gill cavity red to red-black; peritoneum light w/ black spots; gillrakers 27-31 (typically 30-34 in Blackgill RF). Rougheye RF - 2-10 spines below eye; mouth, branchiostegal membranes, and gill cavity red to red-black; peritoneum light. Pacific Ocean Perch - head spines weak and differ in count; dark blotches discrete at dorsal base; symphyseal knob prominent. Sharpchin RF - symphyseal knob prominent; discrete blotches w/ at least one crossing lateral line; head spines differ in count; anal spine 2 longer than 3.

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